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Lawyers Covered - April 2021

Published on 25 Apr 2021.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

When is a complaint a complaint under DISP?

Published on 21 Apr 2021. By Rachael Healey, Partner

A Court of Appeal judgment has recently addressed what constitutes a complaint for the purposes of DISP [Clive Davis v Lloyds Bank [2021] EWCA Civ 557]. It is important to identify when a complaint is made as a regulated firm for two primary reasons: first, a complaint triggers the dispute resolution procedure under DISP of the FCA's Handbook and second, it stops time running for the purposes of time bar when it comes to a complaint to FOS.

Life sciences roundup

Published on 15 Apr 2021.

Welcome to the spring quarterly roundup of regulatory developments in the life sciences sector affecting healthcare institutions - providing bite-size updates from around the industry.

Financial Crime Time – Your Update from RPC: 2021 Q1

Published on 12 Apr 2021. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Michelle Sloane, Partner

Welcome to the latest edition of our round-up of news making the headlines in the world of financial crime and compliance. Our aim is to give you an easily digestible, bite-sized overview of issues that may affect your business.

It's Cocoa, Jim, but not as we know it: Court's modern interpretation of underwriters' and brokers' duties #2 – The underwriters defence

Published on 09 Apr 2021. By Tim Bull, Partner and Matthew Wood, Senior Associate

A modern show of the historic defence strategy at its worst, or should that be best? We'll let you decide.

Additions to FCA DB Transfer Guidance Published

Published on 06 Apr 2021.

The FCA have published finalised guidance regarding defined benefit pension transfers. The latest publication amends and adds to the draft published in June 2020.

Financial CrimeCast: Osama Al Jayousi

Published on 06 Apr 2021. By Sam Tate, Partner

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

Adams v Carey – where does the Court of Appeal's decision leave the SIPP market?

Published on 01 Apr 2021. By Rachael Healey, Partner

The Court of Appeal has today dismissed Mr Adams' appeal against Carey in respect of COBS 2.1.1R. However, the appeal in relation to s.27 FSMA has been upheld. We discuss the background to the proceedings, the Court of Appeal decision and where it takes the SIPP (and wider financial services) market.

It's Cocoa, Jim, but not as we know it: Court's modern interpretation of underwriters' and brokers' duties #1 - An overview of the case

Published on 30 Mar 2021. By Tim Bull, Partner and Matthew Wood, Senior Associate

In this series of articles we take a look at the decision in ABN Amro Bank N.V. v Royal & Sun Alliance plc and 13 Underwriters and Edge Brokers (London) Limited. In this article we give an overview of the case. The remaining articles will focus on particular areas of the case, these will be: 1. Underwriters' duties 2. Brokers' duties 3.Witness evidence

Lawyers Covered - March 2021

Published on 24 Mar 2021.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Regulatory update - March 2021

Published on 22 Mar 2021. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the March edition of the Regulatory update, which pulls together recent developments from across the UK’s regulators – to help you navigate the regulatory maze.

FCA publishes finalised guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers

Published on 22 Mar 2021. By Claudia Schlossberger, Paralegal

In February 2021, the FCA published guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers with the aim of improving their customer experience.

Financial CrimeCast: Sue Scott

Published on 19 Mar 2021. By Sam Tate, Partner

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

FOS and the Adams v Carey decision – where are we as the Court of Appeal hearing starts?

Published on 02 Mar 2021. By Rachael Healey, Partner

Sanctions – A New World?

Published on 26 Feb 2021.

The new UK sanctions regime (SAMLA) replaces EU sanctions in the UK, and sits alongside UN sanctions and US sanctions as a factor for businesses to consider in planning their anti-corruption and compliance matters. In particular it can impose trade sanctions, travel sanctions and financial sanctions, with tough financial penalties for non-compliance.

Financial CrimeCast: Sarah Pritchard

Published on 19 Feb 2021. By Sam Tate, Partner

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

Part 2: Top 5 corporate crime compliance trends for the year ahead

Published on 26 Jan 2021.

As we commence a new year in the midst of unprecedented global challenges, here is our take on the key financial crime risk and compliance trends you need to be aware of in 2021.

Part 1: Top 5 corporate crime enforcement trends for the year ahead

Published on 19 Jan 2021.

As we commence a new year in the midst of unprecedented global challenges, here is our take on the key financial crime risks and trends you need to be aware of in 2021.

Financial CrimeCast: Fidelis Omozuapo

Published on 19 Jan 2021. By Sam Tate, Partner

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

Regulatory update - December 2020

Published on 17 Dec 2020.

Welcome to the December edition of the Regulatory update, which pulls together recent developments from across the UK’s regulators – to help you navigate the regulatory maze.

Financial CrimeCast: Lucille Dolor

Published on 14 Dec 2020.

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

Financial CrimeCast: Andy McClarron

Published on 03 Dec 2020.

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

Financial CrimeCast: Amanda Pinto QC

Published on 26 Nov 2020. By Sam Tate, Partner

Welcome to Financial CrimeCast. In this series, the Centre for Legal Leadership, supported by RPC, talks to leaders in the field of financial crime, compliance and ethics. Guests discuss their career journey, what they have learnt along the way and the financial crime issues they see on the horizon.

Is the current law on corporate criminal liability about to get more teeth?

Published on 05 Nov 2020.

On 3rd November 2020, the Government published its long-awaited response to its January 2017 call for evidence on the question of reforming the law on corporate liability for economic crime. The Government found the evidence inconclusive overall, so it has asked the Law Commission to draft an Options Paper, to assess how effective the current law is relating to corporate criminal liability and where improvements can be made.

New SFO guide to DPAs: material change, or confirmation of approach?

Published on 28 Oct 2020. By Sam Tate, Partner

Last week, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published a comprehensive guide to its approach to Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs).

Regulatory update - October 2020

Published on 22 Oct 2020. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the October edition of the Regulatory update, which pulls together recent developments from across the UK’s regulators – to help you navigate the regulatory maze.

Major overhaul of UK telecoms regulation to go ahead by the end of December 2020

Published on 21 Sep 2020.

The UK still pushing ahead with implementing wide ranging European regulatory changes, but obligations for many "over the top" providers are likely to be postponed.

UKCA Marking: Updated Guidance

Published on 16 Sep 2020. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Elinor Sidwell, Associate

As the end of the Brexit implementation period draws closer, the UK Government has sought to clarify the changes that will follow. On 1 September 2020 they published the long-awaited guidance on the use of UKCA marking following the withdrawal of the previously issued advice earlier this year.

Calls for increased regulation following rise in FSCS bills

Published on 11 Sep 2020. By Shauna Giddens, Associate

The FSCS levy for the 2020/2021 was released earlier this year, causing frustration amongst many advisors in the sector. That frustration continues, with the FSCS making large compensation payments in respect of defined benefit (DB) transfers where many question the lack of earlier FCA intervention, which might have alleviated the problems in this area.

Regulatory update - August 2020

Published on 21 Aug 2020. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the August edition of the Regulatory update, which pulls together recent developments from across the UK’s regulators – to help you navigate the regulatory maze.

Reform of audit industry: it's time to split

Published on 28 Jul 2020. By Davina Given, Partner

Audit has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the past few years in the wake of a series of high-profile business collapses such as Carillion, Patisserie Valerie and Thomas Cook in the UK and, more recently, Wirecard in Germany, and there is no shortage of calls for reform of the audit industry.

Medical Devices Regulation on the horizon

Published on 09 Jul 2020.

The EU Regulation on Medical Devices 2017/745 (the MDR) had been due to become fully applicable on 26 May 2020.

SMCR: The tricky implementation phase

Published on 09 Jul 2020.

The Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) came into force for all financial services firms solo-regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 9 December 2019. The SMCR replaces the previous APER regime under which the FCA had oversight of the individuals working in the financial services industry. There is a one year implementation period for firms to make the changes required by the SMCR, which expires on 9 December 2020.

Regulatory Radar 2020/21

Published on 09 Jul 2020.

Welcome to the 2020/21 edition of RPC’s annual Regulatory Radar – a guide to the key regulatory changes worth having on your radar. We hope this will be a useful resource, helping you scan the regulatory horizon and highlight changes that could impact your business.

Regulatory update - June 2020

Published on 26 Jun 2020. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the June edition of our monthly Regulatory Update, which aims to pull together key developments from the past month across the various UK regulators – and help you to navigate the regulatory maze.

FCA appoints new CEO

Published on 25 Jun 2020. By Jennifer Inman, Paralegal

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed Nikhil Rathi, the UK head of the London Stock Exchange, as its new permanent chief executive, making him the first BAME leader of the UK's city regulator.

Equity Release Market Under the Spotlight

Published on 18 Jun 2020. By Rachael Healey, Partner

Yesterday the FCA published its key findings from exploratory work involving "later life lending". This type of lending is broadly where consumers 55 and over use borrowing to access cash in later life. One of those options is equity release which was the focus of the FCA's work. The FCA's focus on equity release appears to have resulted from an initial review of the broader later life lending market, at which time the FCA identified some "poor outcomes" in equity release sales.

FCA advice checker – FCA statement on what customers should look out for in DB transfer advice

Published on 11 Jun 2020. By Rachael Healey, Partner

Wrapping up the documents published by the FCA on 5 June 2020 on the issue of defined benefit pension transfers (DB transfers), we address in this blog the FCA's "advice checker".

The future of DB transfer advice - the FCA's policy statement

Published on 10 Jun 2020. By Rachael Healey, Partner

In part 3 of our blog series on defined benefit pension transfers (DB transfers) we look at the FCA's policy statement on changes to the DB transfer rules. The change that has attracted most press attention is the ban on contingent charging but there are other parts to the policy statement that are likely to have a much more substantive impact on the DB transfer market going forward.

HKEX published additional guidance specific to biotech companies

Published on 10 Jun 2020.

DB Transfers – the FCA's views on good and bad practice

Published on 09 Jun 2020. By Rachael Healey, Partner

Continuing our blog series, one of the documents produced by the FCA on Friday was a guidance consultation document intended to meet requests from the industry to help advisers understand the FCA's expectations when advising on pension transfers and conversions. The document includes examples of the FCA's views of good and bad practice in the area of defined benefit pension transfers (DB transfers). The stated aim is to "improve the suitability of DB transfer advice" and "to give advisers confidence to give good advice". The FCA expects firms providing DB transfer advice to read the document and once finalised it is intended that firms use it to identify any weaknesses in their existing processes.

DB transfers – further findings from the FCA's supervisory review

Published on 08 Jun 2020. By Rachael Healey, Partner

The FCA produced four documents on Friday addressing defined benefit pension transfers – an update on their supervisory work, a guidance consultation setting out examples of good and bad practice, an "advice checker" for consumers (including helping them consider if they should make a complaint) and a policy statement setting out changes to the defined benefit pension transfer rules which are to largely come into force from 1 October 2020. All are essential reading for an area the FCA continues to fixate on and where it has focussed since the April 2015 pension freedoms.

COVID-19: The Dairy Sector and Welsh health services granted temporary UK competition law exemptions and the European Commission issues first 'Comfort Letter' to Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

Published on 01 Jun 2020. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

The UK Government has granted a temporary competition law exemption for certain collaboration within the dairy sector and Welsh health services and the European Commission has published its first 'comfort letter' to allow co-operation to ensure supplies of medicines for COVID-19 patients.

Update on the FCA's review of Defined Benefit transfer advice

Published on 21 May 2020. By Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate

The FCA has been looking to improve the quality of pension transfer advice for some time now. However, despite the crackdown on defined benefit transfers being announced as a strategic priority earlier this year, it appears that factors, such as Covid-19 have put the FCA's investigations into advice suitability on the back foot – for now, at least.

Adams v Carey – the judgment – over 2 years in the making, where does it leave the SIPP market

Published on 19 May 2020. By David Allinson, Partner and Rachael Healey, Partner

More than two years since the trial in March 2018, the High Court has dismissed the claim against Carey Pensions on all counts. The landmark case is sure to have far reaching ramifications for the SIPP industry and beyond.

FOS complaints and hindsight – categorical statement from the Chief Ombudsman

Published on 11 May 2020. By Rachael Healey, Partner

The FCA has been producing a range of temporary measures with the aim of ensuring that firms can work at pace during the pandemic for the benefit of customers. However, where procedures are bypassed or corners cut what will FOS do in response? The response from FOS to that questions raises another – the use of hindsight when coming to its decisions.

Regulated Activities Order amendments for the new Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Published on 05 May 2020.

On 1 May 2020, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020 was published and came into force on 4 May 2020.

Regulatory Roundup Q1 2020

Published on 30 Apr 2020. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Regulatory Roundup, which aims to pull together the key developments across regulatory regimes – and help you to navigate the maze.

COVID-19: What is the CMA's current approach to UK merger assessment?

Published on 29 Apr 2020. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

The CMA has been adapting its working practices to react to the ongoing challenges of a change in working environment that has an impact on almost all businesses.

The Financial Ombudsman Service's response to COVID-19

Published on 23 Apr 2020. By George Smith, Partner and Laura Sponti, Associate

A few weeks ago, the FOS announced it was closing its office in response to government guidance but was continuing to receive and respond to complaints both old and new. The FOS' latest newsletter offers useful further insight into the FOS' response to the current crisis.